Twisted

Sometimes you just want something pretty mindless playing in the background while you're occupied with something else. Hence this movie. It was either that or Boys Don't Cry, but I figured that would require a bit more of my attention. Anyway, Ashley Judd is a very promiscuous homicide detective who gets a big promotion on the back of solving a series of murders. The twist is she's also the daughter of a former cop turned serial killer who also killed her mom. Soon, another killer is active and he's killing...her sexual conquests. And she's got no alibi for the times of their murders, soon becoming a prime suspect. Or is the killer her partner? Or ??? When I chose this as a "mindless movie", I was definitely right. Another thriller that fails to rise above the mediocre entries in its genre. The cast is good - Judd, Andy Garcia, Samuel L Jackson - but they've got nothing to work with. Ho hum... 4/10.

Taking Lives

Angelina Jolie is an FBI profiler called to Montreal to assist with a murder case. Seems some guy is killing people and then taking their identities. Except Jolie is the one who figures that out, so why she got called in the first place is a mystery. Ethan Hawke is a witness to one of the murders. He and Jolie solve the case, hook up, etc. This is a pretty much by-the-numbers thriller that mostly is designed to have Jolie walking around looking "sexy professional" in her suits. That you never for one second believe she could possibly ever actually have that job is secondary. Another movie for the "not great" category - 5/10.

Up For Grabs

Documentary on Barry Bonds' 73rd home run ball and the legal fight that ensued regarding possession of the ball between two guys. Pretty good documentary complete with a host of pretty unlikable people. Neither guy claiming the ball ends up being very sympathetic. On the one hand you've got a guy who caught the ball but may have lied about being beaten up and certainly exaggerated himself and the story. Then you've got the guy who ended up with the ball but may have stolen it to do so but definitely BIT A KID in the process. Lots of good footage and interviews. Not sure I agree with the decision in their lawsuit but it's a fun ride getting there. 7/10.